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enLiverpool's 2005 Champions League winners: Where are they now?After glory in Istanbul, one went missing, one stood for the European Parliament and one went on Strictly Come Dancing. How well do you know the comeback kings?http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/liverpools-2005-champions-league-winners-where-are-they-now
Jerzy Dudek
Goalkeeper Dudek will always be asked about his match-winning contributions during Liverpool's Champions League victory over Milan in 2005. Despite mounting an incredible comeback from three goals down at half-time, the Reds could still have lost the match in extra time were it not for their oft-maligned custodian.
The Poland international made himself an instant hero with a double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the closing stages, before repelling penalties from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko in the shootout.
Despite his heroics, Dudek immediately lost his place in the team to new signing Pepe Reina. In 2007 he earned a surprise move to Real Madrid, where he spent four seasons as Iker Casillas' seldom-used back-up.
Two years after hanging his gloves up in 2011, the goalkeeper came out of retirement to make one final appearance for Poland in a 2-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein. This allowed him to win his 60th cap, the minimum number required to be inducted into his country’s Hall of Fame.
NEXT: The man who went missingSteve Finnan
He might only have scored a single top-flight goal for Liverpool, but Steve Finnan’s solitary strike meant he had the unique achievement of being one of only two players to have netted in each of the five highest divisions in English football.
The full-back was a regular for the Reds from 2004 to 2008, appearing in both Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007, but thereafter lost his place in the side when manager Rafael Benitez preferred to start Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa ahead of him.
A move to Espanyol followed, but with injuries limiting him to a handful of appearances, the Ireland international was constantly linked with a return to the Premier League. He finally secured a move back to England with Portsmouth in 2008, but wasn't offered a contract extension after the club went into administration and was relegated.
Strangely enough, when a 10th-anniversary Istanbul reunion was planned, Finnan was the only player the organisers were unable to track down, which led to a Twitter campaign to #FindSteveFinnan. The bemused 39-year-old was finally discovered in London, where he's currently running a property development company with his brother.
NEXT: He decided not to use his coaching badgesJamie Carragher
Retiring in 2013, former England international Jamie Carragher has remained in the spotlight thanks to his high-profile role as one of Sky Sports’ leading pundits. A rare one-club man, the Liverpool great spent 17 years at Anfield and was vice-captain for a decade.
These days, Carragher usually finds himself paired up with one-time rival and fellow analyst Gary Neville; while neither were the flashiest of players on the pitch, they've proven a very effective team on-screen, drawing plenty of praise from football lovers around the world.
Though the former Liverpool defender once harboured hopes of stepping into a managerial role, he's since admitted that such a job doesn’t hold as much of an appeal these days.
Possessing a UEFA ‘B’ level coaching badge, Carragher revealed in a Daily Mail column that he was uncomfortable with the pressure put on managers at the highest level, having seen two coaches he admired – Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez – leave Anfield worse for wear.
NEXT: He's managed in three countriesSami Hyppia
The “Finnish Iceberg” was a fans' favourite throughout his 10 years in Anfield. Joining the club in 1999, he quickly established himself in the first team and formed a solid partnership with Swiss defender Stephane Henchoz in the heart of the backline.
By 2001, he – as team captain – led Liverpool to a treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup, but his highest honour came with the Champions League victory four years later.
After that magical night in Istanbul, Hyypia wore the Reds' shirt for four more years before signing a two-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen, despite Liverpool offering him the chance to stay at Anfield in a coaching role.
Moving into coaching with Bayer, he and Sascha Lewandowski were named joint-caretaker managers for a year following Robin Dutt’s sacking. After a brief stint as sole boss, he continued his coaching career at Brighton and Hove Albion before resigning in the face of some poor results in 2014/15. He then spent a season at FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League, but departed after they were relegated to the second tier.
NEXT: He ended up in MLS (no, not him)Djimi Traore
The Mali international spent seven years at Anfield and, despite winning a number of trophies – including the 2003 League Cup and 2006 FA Cup – he's best known for his infamous “Traore Turn”. With the ball at his feet and little danger around him in a cup tie at Burnley, Traore’s attempted spin resulted in the ball ending up in the back of his own net.
The full-back remained a regular starter under Rafa Benitez, though, and began the Champions League final against Milan. His first-half performance wasn't far from a horror show, but he did improve significantly in the second half and made a crucial goalline clearance to deny Andriy Shevchenko what would surely havebeen the winner.
After spells at Charlton, Birmingham, Monaco and Marseille, the Frenchman spent two years in Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders before retiring in 2014. He's currently assistant coach of the Sounders' second team.
NEXT: Still chasing Champions League gloryXabi Alonso
Brought in by Rafa Benitez in 2004, Alonso formed a memorable midfield trio alongside Javier Mascherano and club captain Steven Gerrard. It didn't take long for the Spaniard to become a key player at Anfield, helping the club to the Champions League trophy in his first season.
As the Liverpool comeback was gathering full pace in Istanbul, it was Alonso who scored the decisive third goal, tucking home the rebound after his penalty was saved.
He eventually secured a switch to Real Madrid ahead of the 2009/10 season, spending five seasons with the Spanish giants and claiming another Champions League crown in 2014.
He's now at Bayern Munich, and with European specialist Carlo Ancelotti in charge of the Bavarians, another continental triumph could well be in sight. That would make Alonso only the second player (after Clarence Seedorf) to be a European champions with three different clubs.
NEXT: He played in India and KolkataLuis Garcia
Luis Garcia's useful knack for scoring crucial goals was much in evidence during Liverpool's remarkable run to the 2005 Champions League final.
The winger netted in the quarter-final against Juventus, as well as scoring a controversial "ghost goal" in the semi-final win over Chelsea.
In summer 2007 he returned to Spain and signed for former club Atletico Madrid, before going on to feature for Racing Santander, Panathinaikos in Greece and Mexican duo Puebla FC and Club Universidad Nacional.
Initially retiring in January 2014, he reversed that decision to spend a single season in India with Atletico Kolkata. The 37-year-old has since visited Uganda to promote a charity match involving Barcelona legends, appeared for A-League side Central Coast Mariners, and was also in Kuala Lumpur as a Liverpool ambassador for the club's pre-season tour in July.
NEXT: He swapped one west coast for anotherSteven Gerrard
Liverpool born and bred, Gerrard's now enjoying the warmer climate of Los Angeles, playing in MLS with the Galaxy. Widely considered one of the finest players produced by the Liverpool academy, the 35-year-old joined the American side after the Reds finished sixth in the English Premier League in 2014/15.
Many expected Gerrard to retire at Anfield but he made his mind up to leave after Liverpool decided against offering him an extension during the summer of 2014. Being benched for key games by manager Brendan Rodgers was reportedly another reason for his departure.
The midfielder left behind an enduring legacy at Anfield, helping the Merseysiders to seven trophies in his 17 years there as a player: the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the 2001 UEFA Cup.
Individually, Gerrard won the 2005 Ballon d’Or and was picked in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year a record eight times. Liverpool’s longest-serving captain, he made 695 appearances and scored 180 goals for the club.
NEXT: His shot broke someone's legJohn Arne Riise
Signed for the Reds back in August 2001, Riise netted on his debut in a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the 2001 UEFA Super Cup. He went on to make 348 appearances for the club, scoring 31 times, before moving to Roma at the start of the 2008/09 season.
He became a fans' favourite in the Italian capital due to his on-field commitment - the fact that he scored against both Milan clubs in his first season also helped - and later moved back to England with Fulham. Norway's most-capped player is currently plying his trade in the Indian Super League withChennaiyin FC.
Riise was known for his direct running and thunderous shots from range – just ask Manchester United's Alan Smith, who ended up with a broken leg and dislocated ankle after standing in the way of one of Riise's powerful efforts in 2006.
NEXT: To Turkey, Australia, Qatar... and WatfordHarry Kewell
After joining Liverpool in 2003 following a stellar spell at Leeds United, Kewell enjoyed a fine debut campaign, scoring 10 goals and impressing the Anfield faithful with his talent.
Injury problems soon kicked in, though, and the Australian was forced to depart after just 23 minutes of the 2005 Champions League final when he damaged his abductor muscle. Some Liverpool fans took out their frustration on the player himself, who struggled to stay fit throughout his time on Merseyside.
Kewell departed in 2008 for Galatasaray, where he received a hero’s welcome and scored at a rate of a goal every three games over a three-year spell. He then spent a season each with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart in the A-League, either side of a brief stint with Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
Working at his own junior academy upon retirement in 2014, he later accepted a role coaching Watford’s U21s, a position he holds to this day.
NEXT: The speedy nine-club wandererMilan Baros
To say Baros is well-travelled would be something of an understatement: the Czech striker's represented nine clubs in his 18-year career, a number which may yet increase - the 35-year-old is still playing professionally for Slovan Liberec. Not bad for a man who had his driving licence confiscated after clocking 168mph on a French freeway.
Having been capped by the Czech Republic after scoring plenty for Banik Ostrava, he joined Liverpool in 2002 and scored twice on his debut at Bolton. He helped the club win the 2003 League Cup final against Manchester United and won the Euro 2004 Golden Boot.
In the Istanbul final he was replaced by Djibril Cisse in the 85th minute, meaning he was forced to watch the penalty shootout from the sidelines. It was his final match for Liverpool; Baros was sold to Aston Villa that summer, then moved to Lyon (hence the speeding ticket) and Galatasaray before heading back home to various Czech clubs.
NEXT: He stood for the European ParliamentSub: Vladimir Smicer
Smicer peaked in the right place. He made 121 appearances and scored 10 goals for Liverpool from 1999 until 2005, but he is understandably best-remembered for leaving an indelible mark on the Champions League final.
After replacing an injured Harry Kewell early on, the Czech scored the Reds’ second goal, a long-range effort in the 56th minute, and also buried Liverpool’s final penalty during the shootout.
Smicer's Liverpool contract expired after that game, and he moved to France with Bordeaux that summer. He then made the decision to return to first club Slavia Prague two years later, before calling it a day in 2009.
After ending his playing days, Smicer immediately began working with Czech Republic head coach Michal Bilek, while he also turned his hand to politics in 2014, standing for election to the European Parliament in a bid to raise awareness of childhood obesity.
NEXT: To MK Dons, Leicester and StockportSub: Dietmar Hamann
One of the most popular Liverpool players of the modern era, the man known as ‘Didi’ arrived at Anfield from Newcastle ahead of the 1999/2000 season.
The Germany international spent seven seasons with the club and still gets teased for his Scouse twang. Part of the side that won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001, the holding midfielder was left on the bench for the Champions League final, a decision that was widely considered a major mistake - at least in hindsight.
With the Reds trailing 3-0 at half-time and Benitez looking for a spark, defender Steve Finnan was removed and Hamann thrown into the fray in his place. The German helped to shore up the midfield and allowed Steven Gerrard to push forward and work his magic in advanced areas; the rest, as they say, is history.
Hamann then spent three seasons at Manchester City before taking on a player-coach role at MK Dons. After two brief coaching stints with Leicester City and Stockport County, Hamann turned to punditry instead.
NEXT: Had terrible luck with injuriesSub: Djibril Cisse
The France international moved to Liverpool in 2004 and made 24 first-team appearances in all competitions that season, scoring five goals. But then commenced a wretched run with injuries, with Cisse breaking his leg on two occasions.
The first came against Blackburn Rovers in 2004, when he fractured his tibia and fibula in seemingly innocuous circumstances, an incident which was expected to rule him out for the season.
He returned just six months later, however, coming on as substitute against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final in April 2005. He scored both of Liverpool's goals in their final Premier League match of the campaign against Aston Villa, a 2-1 victory, and converted a penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out.
After that, Cisse broke his leg again while on international duty for France during a friendly against China, and barely played for Liverpool again. After leaving Anfield he represented nine clubs in France, England, Greece, Italy, Russia and the Indian Ocean island of Reunion before retiring in 2015.
An intriguing character, Cisse has been entitled Lord of the Manor of Frodsham, refused the local hunt permission to use his land, starred in a French comedy film and TF1's version ofStrictly Come Dancing, launched a clothing range, been questioned over an alleged extortion plot (he denies any involvement), and converted from Islam to Catholicism.
NEXT: Rafa the gafferManager: Rafael Benitez
Benitez joined Liverpool from Valencia, where he'd won two league titles and a UEFA Cup, to replace Gerard Houllier in 2004.
It was a rather turbulent time at Anfield: Michael Owen departed for Real Madrid a short time later, while there were also numerous reports linking Steven Gerrard to Chelsea.
"Rafa the gaffer" guided Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005 and an FA Cup triumph the following season, much to the fans' delight. He then came within four points of a first league title in almost two decades in 2009, eventually finishing second behind Manchester United.
But from there things quickly went south. A seventh-place finish in the league, combined with early exits from the cup competitions, led to his dismissal in 2010. Stints at Inter, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid followed, before he joined Newcastle in March 2016.
More legends in Where Are They Now?
featureFri, 04 Nov 2016 12:01:26 +0000Gary Parkinson646335 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse back in training with AuxerreHaving reversed his decision to retire, Djibril Cisse is building his fitness with former club Auxerre.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-back-training-auxerre
Djibril Cisse has returned to training with his first club Auxerre in hope of regaining his fitness and finding a new team.
The former France international, 35, called time on his career in October 2015 following a number of injuries, but he has now reversed that decision and is working with the Ligue 2 side.
While with Auxerre, Cisse won the Coupe de France in 2003, before moving on to Liverpool and claiming the Champions League.
The club announced his return on their official website, stating: "It is with great pleasure that the club allows its former player to get back into shape at the academy of AJ Auxerre."
news_articleMon, 26 Sep 2016 15:35:09 +0000Anonymous631794 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse: Benzema must play at Euro 2016Djibril Cisse has implored France head coach Didier Deschamps to select Karim Benzema for Euro 2016.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-benzema-must-play-euro-2016
France must select Karim Benzema for Euro 2016 regardless of the off-field controversies that have kept him out of the team, according to Djibril Cisse.
With an ongoing investigation into his part in the alleged blackmail attempt of France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, and after the emergence of claims that he was called as a witness as part of a money laundering case, Benzema's return to the national squad for the tournament on home soil remains the subject of intense speculation
The Real Madrid striker, 28, was once again left out of the squad for the friendlies against Netherlands and Russia, but former France international Cisse has implored Didier Deschamps to welcome him back to the set-up.
"The story is not yet set, but it would be a dirty trick not to have Benzema," he is quoted as telling French magazine Public.
"The ethical problem? I don't care. Karim walks on water when he's on the pitch and the team needs him."
Benzema scored on his return from injury in a 4-0 Liga win over Sevilla last weekend.
news_articleSun, 27 Mar 2016 11:58:59 +0000Anonymous551020 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRonaldo, Higuita, Arshavin and the vainest players of all-timeMany say footballers are a pampered bunch, but some take things to another level. Jon Spurling picks out eight stars just as likely to appear in the fashion pages as the sport ones...Jon Spurlinghttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldo-higuita-arshavin-and-vainest-players-all-time
1) Rene Higuita
"I'm tired of being ugly Rene, I want to be handsome Rene," explained former Colombian goalkeeping legend Higuita before undergoing an estimated $50,000 worth of cosmetic enhancements in 2005.
Once voted his country's "ugliest icon", the man famous for his scorpion kick had a silicone chin implant, a skin peel, nose surgery and aggressive liposuction on live TV show Cambio Extremo. After hiding out for a month, he emerged a new man – almost. "Bodily, I'm now perfect," claimed the none-too-modest Higuita.
2) Djibril Cisse
"For me, clothes are simply an extension of my personality," claimed the sartorially obsessed France striker Djibril Cisse after signing for QPR in 2012. That being the case, Cisse must have been the most larger-than-life footballer to have ever played the game.
The man who admitted his passion was "sourcing new designer labels and thinking about my look" regularly sported outfits depicting him as a superhero, a hitman, and "a man in touch with my feminine side... I have no problem wearing a skirt when the occasion dictates." Cisse confessed to spending a "small fortune" on clothes and boots and also changed his hairstyle (and colour) on what seemed like a weekly basis. "I'm not averse to people noticing me," he once said. No kidding, Djibril.
3) Charlie Nicholas
"Well Charlie, one of us has got it wrong," laughed former Arsenal midfielder Graham Rix after agreeing to meet new signing Nicholas in his local for a couple of beers after the latter’s arrival at Highbury in 1983.
Rix, donning a pullover, jeans and trainers, was left open-mouthed when his more fashion-conscious team-mate strolled into the pub wearing an all-white leather suit and Italian shoes with no socks. "He looked like something out of Duran Duran," Rix said as Nicholas, who modelled for various High Street brands throughout his Highbury career, admitted "leather trousers aren't everyone's cup of tea."
They certainly weren't Rix's. "I think Charlie thought he was football's version of Jim Morrison, but he was never going to get that kind of adulation at Highbury,” he joked.
4) Andrei Arshavin
When Arshavin wasn’t busy moaning about women drivers (“they’re just not up to the standard of men”) or British taxes (“they’re excessive and downright stupid”) throughout his frustrating four-year spell at Arsenal, the local hairdressers were a group of people likely to incur his wrath.
After Arshavin signed for the Gunners in January 2009, his wife Yulia insisted upon bringing the couple's personal stylist Denis Volkov to London whenever he was needed. "Andrei can afford to fly me over," explained Volkov, “and both he and Yulia distrust hairdressers in London."
Arshavin even had his hair cut extra short just before he jetted over to London in order to save his hard-earned money for a few more weeks; even millionaire footballers have to watch the pennies, you know.
Arsene Wenger takes off Arshavin's hat, the spoilsport
5) Paul Gascoigne
“People can take the piss all they want,” blasted England star Gascoigne in August 1990, “but I know I look the business when I wear them.” Gazza, of course, was referring to the job lot of shellsuits he splashed out on after returning home from Italia 90. The Tottenham man duly wore them on every major occasion, whether it was in the official music video of Fog on the Tyne, or when sporting a pair of false breasts upon his return to England after the 1990 World Cup. Like Gazza himself, the shellsuit quickly fell from grace. "I still reckon I looked good in them suits," Gazza insisted in 2010.
6) Gareth Seddon
Having spent many years working in semi–professional football, Salford City’s joint manager Anthony Johnson was used to players being unavailable because of work commitments. Losing top scorer Seddon to a modelling assignment – which meant the striker missed two crucial matches as Salford pushed for promotion from the Evo–Stik North in 2015 - was a whole new ball game for him, however. “He asked to go away for a week to Germany, which we weren’t happy about. We could have said no, but we didn’t want him to miss out and have a sulk on so we let him go.” Seddon returned, was mocked by his team-mates and then played brilliantly as Salford achieved their goal of promotion to the Northern Premier League. “He looked after himself superbly,” admitted boss Johnson. A model pro indeed.
Football shirt off, modelling one on
7) Cristiano Ronaldo
Shortly after signing for Manchester United from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo confessed to being “obsessed” with clothes and fashion. “Although I come from humble roots, some have accused me of being vain,” he said. Surely not. As his star ascended at Old Trafford, Ronaldo soon became a bona fide fashion icon, a process that accelerated following his move to Real Madrid.
A much sought-after target for clothing designers and fashion magazines, Ronaldo opened his first fashion boutique under the name “CR7” in Madeira in 2006; nothing wrong with that, of course, although many have pointed out that the ludicrously expensive designer gear and permatan have probably done him few favours down the years. After being booed by Dinamo Zagreb fans in Croatia, Ronaldo claimed: “It's surely because I'm good looking, rich and a great footballer. They're jealous of me. I don't have any other explanation.”FFTcan think of one or two, Ronny...
8) David Beckham
Beckham may once have described Sir Alex Ferguson as “like a father to me”, but that didn’t stop the Scot selling Golden Balls to Real Madrid in 2003. The reason? “David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson,” insisted, erm, Alex Ferguson in his book titledAlex Ferguson: My Autobiography. Fergie claimed he had become uncomfortable with the celebrity aspect of Becks’ lifestyle as early as 2000, when the United boss was told by one of the 20 photographers gathered at Carrington that he and his colleagues were present because “David’s revealing his new haircut tomorrow”.
In order to keep said style a secret, Beckham wore a beanie hat at all times in the 24 or so hours before United’s match with Leicester City that weekend. “Is that what all the fuss was about?” barked his manager after clapping eyes on Becks’ shaved head. “He was already being swallowed up by publicity agents and became fascinated with the latest look,” the curmudgeonly Fergie later harrumphed.
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featureThu, 04 Feb 2016 17:08:53 +0000Greg Lea515560 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse announces retirementDjibril Cisse's professional career is over after his goalscoring exploits at domestic and international level.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-announces-retirement
Former France and Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse announced his retirement from professional football on Monday.
Cisse, 34, was in the headlines last week, denying allegations he was involved in a plot to blackmail former team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over sex tape footage.
He has been without a full-time club since the end of last season, when he left Ligue 1 outfit Bastia.
Cisse said on Monday he could no longer handle the demands of professional football.
"The body says stop, now it's over," he told Canal+.
"I can't practice high-level football."
Cisse's professional career started at Auxerre in 1998 and his goalscoring exploits led to a Liverpool move in 2004.
After his departure from Anfield, he spent time at numerous clubs – including Marseille, Sunderland, Panathinaikos and QPR.
Cisse represented France 41 times, scoring nine goals.news_articleMon, 19 Oct 2015 22:57:58 +0000Anonymous469238 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse denies involvement in alleged Valbuena sex tape blackmail plotDjibril Cisse insists he has "nothing to do with" an alleged blackmail plot concerning France international Mathieu Valbuena and a sex tape.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-denies-involvement-alleged-valbuena-sex-tape-blackmail-plot
Ex-France international Djibril Cisse has refuted allegations he was involved in a plot to blackmail former team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over sex tape footage.
According to the AFP news agency, Cisse was questioned along with three other people in Versailles on Tuesday as a 'person of interest' because he knew individuals allegedly involved in the case.
The former Liverpool striker was later released without charge and protested his innocence during a phone interview with French chat show Touche pas a mon poste (Don't Touch My TV).
"I have nothing to do with it, Mathieu is a friend of mine,” Cisse told host Cyril Hanouna.
“I just warned him that there was something hot going on involving him. That’s it. End of story.
"Frankly, it's not funny. It's something that could have been very bad for me and for him.”
Cisse added that he was only taken in for questioning so that the police could "hear my side of the story". news_articleWed, 14 Oct 2015 13:47:35 +0000Anonymous466937 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse weighing up offers from USA, India and PolandDjibril Cisse could be set to follow in the footsteps of former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard and head to MLS.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-weighing-offers-usa-india-and-poland
Former France international Djibril Cisse could be on his way to MLS, with the striker claiming playing in the United States "would be cool".
Cisse has not started a Ligue 1 game for Bastia this season, with the 33-year-old struggling with a hip injury, but he remains hopeful of prolonging his career.
The flamboyant forward, who started out at Auxerre and has played for nine other clubs, has received offers to play around the world.
"Clubs still think of me. There are a lot of offers from the USA. India too," Cisse told France Football.
"I have two or three things in Poland and some which are a little funky, but the USA would be cool."
Cisse has only played seven league matches for Bastia in 2014-15, while he has also failed to score in Ligue 1.
The striker did play three games in Bastia's run to the Coupe de la Ligue final, though, netting three goals, but he remains adamant this season has been his worst.
"The cartilage in my hip is very, very worn, so it rubs. It is a wound that began in April 2014," Cisse said.
"At the beginning, I had pain in the groin and into the upper buttock. I have a sharp pain in the hip. Sometimes it radiates to my knee a little. I'm not there banging my head against the walls but it's just enough to be annoying."
But having been told by doctors that his career was over, Cisse wants to keep playing.
Apart from Auxerre and Bastia, Cisse has also played for Liverpool, Marseille, Sunderland, Panathinaikos, Lazio, QPR, Al Gharafa and Kuban Krasnodar.
Cisse scored nine goals in 41 appearances for France.news_articleFri, 22 May 2015 06:41:09 +0000Anonymous392368 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse targets France recall after Bastia moveDjibril Cisse is hoping his move to Bastia can help him fight his way back into the French national team.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-targets-france-recall-after-bastia-move
Cisse, who signed for the Corsican outfit after ending his contract at Russian club Kuban Krasnodar, has 41 caps for his country, but has not featured on the international stage since coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 victory over Albania in October 2011.
But the 32-year-old has not given up hope of forcing his way back into national coach Didier Deshamps' plans ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
"I have an objective and everyone knows what it is," he said. "I love Les Bleus and I will do all I can to rejoin them."
However, Cisse insisted his first task was to help Bastia climb into the top half of Ligue 1.
"I'm very happy to be here," he continued. "I'm ambitious. We have what it takes to be in the top 10. That's a completely reasonable and achievable goal.
"What's more, we have several players who can supply me with great passes - that was a key factor in my deciding to come here."
Cisse currently has 94 goals to his name in the French top flight from spells at Auxerre and Marseille, and the chance to reach 100 is something the well-travelled forward is looking forward to.
"To be honest, bagging my 100th Ligue 1 goal is very important to me," he remarked.
"I remember that when I was young, I would watch my big brother Abou play in Ligue 1 and hope that one day I would be able to score just one goal, so being in a position to score my 100th is a source of pride and I can't wait to do it."
Bastia currently 13th in Ligue 1 and are on a winless run of four in the competition.
news_articleThu, 02 Jan 2014 13:23:46 +0000Anonymous100023 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBastia agree Cisse deal subject to medicalBastia have confirmed the signing of France international striker Djibril Cisse on a free transfer subject to a medical.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bastia-agree-cisse-deal-subject-medical
Cisse joined Kuban Krasnodar from QPR in July after the English club's relegation from the Premier League, but will return to Ligue 1 after terminating his contract with the Russian outfit.
The 32-year-old is set to put to pen to paper on an 18-month deal with the Corsican club, who are winless in their last four Ligue 1 games.
A statement on Bastia's official website read: "After termination of his contract with the Russian club Kuban Krasnodar on the eve of the opening of the winter transfer window, the Sporting Club Bastia is pleased to announce the arrival of Djibril Cisse.
"The French international striker will undergo a medical on Wednesday January 1 at 10:00am (local time) and will sign an 18-month contract."
Cisse - a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool who also enjoyed spells with Marseille, Panathinaikos and Lazio - made 25 appearances for Kuban, scoring five goals.
Bastia sit 13th in Ligue 1 ahead of the resumption of the season, which will see Frederic Hantz's men face Evian in the Coupe de France on January 5 before travelling to Valenciennes in the league six days later.
news_articleTue, 31 Dec 2013 15:33:01 +0000Anonymous99403 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse: I can make the difference at BastiaDjibril Cisse feels he could propel Bastia up the Ligue 1 table if he were to make the move from Kuban Krasnodar.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-i-can-make-difference-bastia
The 32-year-old striker has been linked with a return to his homeland, with Bastia and Montpellier both reported as potential suitors.
Cisse has already stated his belief that a successful spell in France could see him return to the international squad, having last played in October 2011.
As well as preferring a move to Bastia, Cisse is confident he can make an instant impact at the Ligue 1 club, who are currently 13th.
What attracts me to Bastia is that they have very creative environment and (style of) play, he told Yahoo Sport.
But it is true that they may lack a scorer, scoring a few more goals to snatch the points that can make the difference.
With the fervour and the team there is, I think Ill feel good in Bastia and do a little more than six months. I think there are great things to do there.
It is important for me to return to France because Im on 94 Ligue 1 goals, (and to) reach 100 goals in Ligue 1 would be something beautiful.
Cisse began his career in France, playing for Auxerre before returning to Marseille in 2007 via Liverpool. He joined Russian Premier League sideKuban Krasnodar from QPR in July and has scored four goals in 15 league appearances this season.
news_articleFri, 27 Dec 2013 08:54:16 +0000Anonymous98037 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCisse revels in late leveller at SwanseaKuban Krasnodar striker Djibril Cisse felt his side deserved their point in Thursdays 1-1 UEFA Europa League draw with Swansea City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cisse-revels-late-leveller-swansea
Cisse earned his side a draw with an injury-time penalty in the Group A fixture, cancelling out Michu's 68th-minute strike at the Liberty Stadium.
The Russian Premier League outfit played well during the match and were well worth their point, with Cisse insisting he did not feel the pressure before scoring the spot-kick.
"(To take an injury-time penalty) … that's a delight for strikers. Sometimes you have one chance and you have to score," Cisse told ITV.
"Even if it is in the 95th minute, you have to score. That's your job. I didn't feel no pressure. I just had to put the ball in the net.
"We don't have big names in the team but we play some really good football. We showed that tonight.
"We are going to back home with at least one point and we are not going to do a five-hour flight with nothing."
The former Liverpool and QPR striker believes the result has kept Kuban's hopes of progressing from the group stage alive.
Kuban have won just one point from their three matches, with Cisse's goal the only one they have scored.
But with a home fixture against Swansea to come next month, the French forward is confident.
"They are going to have a really difficult game in our field," Cisse said.
"Now we are back in the game and we know if we manage to win at home, we are still in the race for qualification. It is going to be really tough for them (Swansea)."
news_articleThu, 24 Oct 2013 22:28:29 +0000Anonymous76935 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com